For over 25 years, John (Jack) Oostema's practice has focused primarily on representing lawyers in legal malpractice actions and on insurance coverage matters related to professional liability insurance. He has represented attorneys, law firms, and insurance carriers nationwide. He currently serves as National Coverage Counsel for a prominent professional liability carrier that writes coverage for lawyers in over 40 states. In addition to regularly representing many of the largest firms in the state, Jack has also represented the State Bar of Michigan in connection with litigation challenging the constitutionality of the Character & Fitness review process. Recently, as part of its 50-State Survey of Legal Malpractice Law, Jack was asked by the Professional Liability Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association to author the Michigan chapter on legal malpractice law. For a copy of that work, click here.
A partial list of some of the cases that Jack has been involved in include:
- Lawrence v. Chabot, 182 Fed. Appx. 442, 2006 WL 1342316 (6th Cir. May 16, 2006)
- Colbert v. Coneybeare Law Office, 239 Mich. App. 608 (2000)
- Baldori v. Smith, 219 Mich. App. 713 (1997)
- Kintigh v. Abbott Pharmacy, 200 Mich. App. 92 (1993)
- Americans United for Separation of Church and State v. School District of Grand Rapids, 473 U.S. 373; 105 S.Ct. 3216; 87 L.Ed.2d 267 (1985), reversed in part, Agostini v. Felton, 521 U.S. 203; 117 S.Ct. 1997; 138 L.Ed.2d 391 (1997).
A native of Grand Rapids, Jack is married to Gloria. They have two sons, J. Adam and Andrew, and a daughter, Megan.
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Michigan, 1976
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1982
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1984
Education
- Calvin College (B.A., 1973)
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 1976)
Noteworthy
- AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Listed in Best Lawyers (2009-2010) -- Legal Malpractice Law
- Listed as a "Michigan Super Lawyer" -- Insurance Coverage
- Listed in Benchmark Litigation 2010
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- The Federal Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan (Member: Character & Fitness Committee, 1983-1989; Civil Procedure Committee, 1991 - 1999)
- Grand Rapids Bar Association (Chairperson: Judicial Candidate Review Committee)
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
- Defense Research Institute
- Professional Responsibility Counselors
